Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-15
WASHINGTON ARCHUTECTURE.
Tho Congressman md the Architect
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THE CONGRESSMAN STILL ON THE WAR PAfH.
With all his ostentatious asking for advice. too
| much OF 1t at once was not desired by the Con-
| gresham elect who had come to Washington TO
study the theory and practice OF government, with
| domestic architecture for side issue. His con-
victions were too positive and, in his own opinion
too important to be kept long in the background
Moreover, he appeared to feel that he could best
express his approval of any suggestions that were
offered him by the counter assurance that he had
always thought so and great deal more so; q
manner OF receiving advice which has the admi-
the part Of the adviser. His next letter with its
graphic illustrations Is given below.
"My Dear Architect: OF course always knew
that back yards were nuisance for which there
is not a shadow Of excuse. The high board fences
that are supposed to protect and shield the back
OF the houses and the rear entrances are delusion
and a snare. They hide nothing except from the
basement windows. which need all the light and
air there is to be had, and they protect nothing
scale them il they try, and Who tnd their DARK
shadows and corners convenient hiding-places
They are simply survival OF the customs OF the
dark and unctvillzed ages, when stockadeS meats
and draw-bridges necessary for the protection
of every mans domictle against the hostile attacks
Of his nearest neighbour. As matter OF fact they
the front door or kettle OF boiling pitch on the
roof. Certainly these yards ought to be beautiful
like other ornamental parks and squares: tall
trees should not be allowed In them because sun
ga5 Is TOO precious Gus to be shut out even ey the
and flowers should much more abound. AS for the
back side of the buildings themselves, It is my
opinion that If the superhuous and altogether
senseless ornament that is applied to the most
pretentous OF these modern city houses could be
sold at cost and onehaf the proceeds given to the
poor or Tor founding an art school In washington,
the other half would abundantly pay the diner.
ence in cost between the coarse unsikhtly walls
rally, and beauty OF exterior on the wrong end Of
these aristocratic block houses, which, seen from
the opposite side OF the court would make the rear
rooms more attractive and desirable than those on
the street. This Is not merely an esthetc point It
Is an exceedingly practical one. ind in my hunt
for rooms that even when the house stands on the
south side OF the street. and the front rooms in
consequence receive no sun, they Sttu command
rent from Is to 80 per cent higher than those at
sirabe In their outlook and surroundings as the
former, would be the simplest common sense from
Inc business point Of view, whether the house Is
built for sale or rent.
The use Of narrow alleys as streets for small
shops, novels and dens Of all sorts and in all stages
OF dilapidatfon and uncleanness Is an outrageous
insult TO the civilized instincts of the CITY, 1t il
most amazing that those who have the power to
90 tnlS should ever nave obtain permission.
hope you do not imagine that my reprobatton
OF Washington architecture is based wholly upon
the primitive developments Of which sent you
lew typical examples In former letter. These
peculiar growths, 1t Is true, have been continued
but they are not peculiar to Washington and are
slowly passing away with the ignorance from
whlch they Sprang; mean that particular form OF
ignorance which fails TO see why one house ought
to di1er from another; that four walls do not
mansion make any more than they make prison;
and that the times in which we live require us TO
make good use of our privileges architectural and
domestic. Doubtless, say, that particular form
OF ignorance Is passing away, and It takes bold,
devoid OF life, sentiment and expression as a.
as a,-Wen I'm bothered for comparison
say a barn door or steam radiator. III it were
not for the danger OF being bOycott0d I would
say the Washington Monument. But am told 1t
takes two years OF familiarity to understand the
and as have been here less than TWO months my
opinion is necessarily crude.) Unfortunately the
bold bad men are not all dead yet and much Of
their work still follows the fashion OF their pre-
decessors. Meanwhile the darkness OF the earlier
ignorance is gradually giving way before a sort Of
demi-tW1!1ght, or magic lantern flashes that
throw upon the background prepared for them,
pictures most astonishing whether considered Is
examples OF the useful or the beautiful